Periodontal Instruments

Periodontal explorer

Used to locate deposits of calculus that be supragingival or subgingival. They provide tactile information about the roughness or smoothness of root surfaces.

Sickle Scaler

Used primarily to remove large deposits of supragingival calculus. It has a long straight shank to remove calculus from the anterior areas and a contra angle to remove calculus from the posterior area.

Chisel Scaler

Used to remove supragingival calculus in the contact area of the anterior teeth. Blade is curved slightly to adapt to tooth surfaces.

Hoe Scaler

Used to remove heavy supragingival calculus, it can then be removed from the surface with curettes.

Periodontal File

Used to crush large calculus deposits

Each working-end has several cutting edges

Gracey Curette

Used to remove subgingival or supragingival calculus, to smooth the rough root surfaces and to remove the diseased soft tissue lining. They have one cutting edge and are area specific.

Universal Curette

Used to remove subgingival or supragingival calculus, to smooth the root surfaces and to remove the diseased soft tissue lining. They are designed so that one instrument is able to adapt to all tooth surfaces. They have two cutting edges, one on each side of the blade.

Orban knives

Used to remove tissue from interdental area, they have a spear like shape and cutting edges on both sides of the blade

Kirkland Knives

Are double-ended with kidney shaped blades, used to remove excess tissue such as gingival enlargements.

Pocket Marker

Are similar in appearance to cotton pliers; one tip is smooth and straight, and the other tip is sharp and bent at a right angle. This instrument is used to make small perforations or bleeding points that mark the area for an incision on the gingiva.

Jacquette Scaler

Used to remove supragingival calculus in the interproximal area of posterior teeth.

Ultrasonic Scaler

Converts very-high frequency sound waves into mechanical energy which cause the tip to vibrate very rapidly. A spray of water and the vibration rapidly remove plaque, supragingival calculus, and stain. Also helps flush debris from the periodontal pocket allowing easier access to subgingival pockets.